Interspecific tree named &#39;FLAVOR PUNCH&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of interspecific tree. The following features of the tree and its fruit are characterized with the tree budded on ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), grown on Handford sandy loam soil with Storie Index rating 95, in USDA Hardiness Zone 9, near Modesto, Calif., with standard commercial fruit growing practices, such as pruning, thinning, spraying, irrigation and fertilization. Its novelty consist of the following combination of desirable features: 
     1. Tree with vigorous, upright growth.
 
2. Tree being a regular and productive bearer of small to medium size fruit.
 
3. Fruit with very good flavor and eating quality.
 
4. Fruit with an attractive dark red skin color.
 
5. Fruit with good storage and shipping qualities.

BOTANICAL DESIGNATION

Interspecific Prunus species

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘Flavor Punch’

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

1. Field of the Invention

In the field of plant genetics, we conduct an extensive and continuingplant-breeding program including the organization and asexualreproduction of orchard trees, and of which plums, peaches, nectarines,apricots, cherries, almonds and interspecifics are exemplary. It wasagainst this background of our activities that the present variety ofinterspecific tree was originated and asexually reproduced by us in ourexperimental orchard located near Modesto, Stanislaus County, Calif.

2. Prior Varieties

Among the existing varieties of interspecific trees, which are known tous, and mentioned herein, ‘Sweet Pixzee 2’ Interspecific (U.S. PlantPat. No. 23,796), ‘Flavor Blast’ Interspecific (U.S. Plant Pat. No.23,720), ‘Autumn Treat’ Interspecific (U.S. application Ser. No.13/999,782) and the proprietary non-patented interspecific varieties‘46MB665’ and ‘162LM246’.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of interspecific tree consists of thecombination of Prunus salicina, Prunus armeniaca, Prunus avium andPrunus persica. It was originated by us in our experimental orchardlocated near Modesto, Calif. as a first generation cross between ‘SweetPixzee 2’Interspecific (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,796) and our proprietarynon-patented interspecific seedling selection with the fieldidentification number ‘46MB665’. The non-patented interspecific pollenparent (46MB665) originated from crosses between our proprietarynon-patented interspecific seedling selection ‘162LM246’ and ‘AutumnTreat’ (U.S. application Ser. No. 13/999,782). A large number of thesefirst generation seedlings were budded onto older established trees of‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented) to enhance earlier fruitproduction. Under close and careful observation the present seedlingexhibited desirable fruit and tree characteristics and was selected in2009 for additional asexual propagation and commercialization.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

In 2009 asexual reproduction of the new and distinct variety ofinterspecific tree was by budding to ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock(non-patented), as performed by us in our experimental orchard locatednear Modesto, Calif., and shows that reproductions run true to theoriginal tree and all characteristics of the tree and its fruit areestablished and transmitted through succeeding asexual propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE NEW VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of interspecific tree which includes[Plum×Plumcot×Cherry×Plum×Plum Peach]×[Plum×Cherry×Plum×Plumcot] is oflarge size, vigorous, upright growth and a regular and productive bearerof small to medium size fruit with very good flavor and eating quality.The fruit is further characterized by its firm, yellow flesh, attractivedark red skin color and good storage and shipping qualities. Incomparison to its seed parent ‘Sweet Pixzee 2’ Interspecific (U.S. PlantPat. No. 23,796) the fruit of the new variety is larger in size and isapproximately 53 days later in maturity. In comparison to itsnon-patented proprietary interspecific pollen parent (46MB665) the fruitof the new variety is approximately 17 days later in maturity. Incomparison to the commercial variety ‘Flavor Blast’ Interspecific (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 23,720) the fruit of the new variety has a darker redskin color and is approximately 7 days earlier in maturity.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying color photographic illustration shows typical specimensof the foliage and fruit of the present new interspecific variety. Theillustration shows the upper and lower surface of the leaves, anexterior and sectional view of a single fruit divided in its sutureplane to show flesh color, pit cavity and the stone remaining in place.The photographic illustration was taken shortly after being picked(shipping ripe) from a 6 year old tree and the colors are as nearly trueas is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new variety ofinterspecific tree, its flowers, foliage and fruit, as based onobservations of 6 year old specimens grown near Modesto, Calif., withcolor in accordance with Munsell Book of Color published in 1958.

-   Tree:    -   -   Size.—Large, usually pruned to 3 to 3.5 meters in height and            width for economical harvesting of fruit. Size varies with            different cultural practices.        -   Vigor.—Vigorous, growth of 1.5 to 2 meters the first growing            season. Varies with soil type, fertility of soil and            climatic conditions.        -   Form.—Upright, usually pruned to vase shape.        -   Branching habit.—Upright growth, crotch angle approximately            25°, increases with heavy crop load.        -   Productivity.—Productive, thinning and spacing of fruit            necessary for desired marketable size. Fruit set varies with            climatic conditions during bloom time.        -   Bearer.—Regular, has had adequate fruit set 4 consecutive            years. No alternate bearing observed.        -   Fertility.—Self sterile, pollinator required.        -   Density.—Medium dense, usually pruned to vase shape to            increase air movement and sunlight to enhance fruit color            and health of fruit spurs.        -   Hardiness.—Hardy in all stone fruit growing areas of            California. Tree grown in USDA Hardiness Zone 9. Winter            chilling requirement approximately 1000 hours at or below            45° F.-   Trunk:    -   -   Size.—Medium. Average circumference 48.3 cm at 25.4 cm above            ground on a 6 year old tree.        -   Stocky.—Medium stocky.        -   Texture.—Medium shaggy, roughness increases with age of            tree.        -   Color.—Varies from 2.5Y 4/2 to 5Y 4/2.-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Medium. Average circumference 15.2 cm at 1.2 meters            above ground. Crotch angle approximately 25°, increases with            heavy fruit crop.        -   Surface texture.—New growth relatively smooth. Mature growth            medium rough, roughness increases with age.        -   Lenticels.—Size — medium. Average number 47 in a 25.8 square            cm section. Average length 3.9 mm. Average width 1.1 mm.            Color varies from 7.5YR 6/10 to 7.5YR 5/10.        -   Color.—New growth varies from 5GY 6/8 to 10R 3/4. Mature            growth varies from 10YR 2/2 to 2.5Y 2/2, varies with age of            growth.-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Medium. Average length 92.0 mm. Average width 37.6 mm.        -   Form.—Obovate.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Base.—Cuneate.        -   Margin.—Serrate.        -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Surface texture.—Upper surface relatively smooth, slight            indentations over midrib and leaf veins. Lower surface            relatively smooth, except for small ridges created by midrib            and pinnate venation. Both upper and lower surfaces            glabrous.        -   Petiole.—Large. Average length 16.4 mm. Average width            1.2 mm. Longitudinally grooved. Surface — glabrous. Color            varies from 5GY 7/6 to 2.5YR 3/6.        -   Glands.—Type — globose. Size — small. Average length 0.8 mm.            Average diameter 0.4 mm. Number varies from 2 to 5, average            number 3. Located primarily on the base of leaf blade and            upper portion of petiole. Color varies from 5GY 6/8 to 2.5YR            3/6.        -   Stipules.—Average number 2. Average length 6.8 mm. Edges —            pectinate. Color varies from 5GY 7/8 to 5GY 6/8.        -   Color.—Upper surface varies from 7.5GY 3/4 to 7.5GY 3/6.            Lower surface varies from 7.5GY 5/4 to 7.5GY 4/4. Midvein            color varies from 5GY 8/6 to 5GY 7/6.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Size.—Medium to large. Average length 10.6 mm. Average            diameter 5.8 mm.        -   Hardiness.—Hardy with respect to California winters.        -   Density.—Very dense.        -   Form.—Conical, becoming elongated just before opening.        -   Pedicel.—Size — medium to large. Average length 9.5 mm.            Average width 0.6 mm. Color varies from 10Y 7/8 to 2.5GY            7/8. Surface — glabrous.        -   Color.—N 9.5/ (white).        -   Number of buds per spur.—Average 11, varies from 7 to 16.            Varies with age of spur.-   Flowers:    -   -   Blooming period.—Date of First Bloom Mar. 1, 2014. Date of            Petal Fall Mar. 9, 2014, varies slightly with climatic            conditions.        -   Size.—Medium. Average height 11.8 mm. Average diameter 19.6            mm.        -   Petals.—Number — normally 5, alternately arranged to sepals.            Size — large. Average length 11.0 mm. Average width 7.7 mm.            Form- ovate. Margin — sinuate. Arrangement — semi            overlapping to free. Apex — rounded. Base — truncated. Color            N 9.5/(white). Both upper and lower surfaces glabrous.        -   Sepals.—Number — normally 5, alternately arranged to petals.            Size — medium. Average length 3.4 mm. Average width 2.5 mm.            Shape — triangular. Margin — entire. Apex — rounded to            triangular. Both upper and lower surfaces glabrous. Color —            upper surface varies from 5GY 6/8 to 5GY 7/8. Lower surface            varies from 5R 3/10 to 2.5GY 5/6.        -   Stamens.—Average number per flower 39. Average filament            length 10.1 mm. On average, the stamens are above the height            of the petals. Filament color .N 9.5/ (white). Anther color            varies from 2.5Y 7/10 to 10YR 7/12.        -   Pollen.—Self sterile, pollinator required. Color varies from            2.5Y 8/14 to 2.5Y 7/12.        -   Pistil.—Number — normally one. Surface — glabrous. Average            length 9.8 mm. Position of stigma an average of 1.6 mm below            anthers. Color varies from 10Y 7/8 to 2.5GY 8/8.        -   Fragrance.—Heavy.        -   Color.—N 9.5/ (white).        -   Pedicel.—Average length 12.4 mm. Average width 0.7 mm. Color            varies from 2.5GY 7/8 to 2.5GY 7/6. Surface — glabrous.        -   Number of flowers per flower bud.—Average 2, varies from 1            to 3.-   Fruit:    -   -   Maturity when described.—Firm ripe and ready for            consumption.        -   Date of first picking.—Aug. 16, 2014.        -   Date of last picking.—Aug. 26, 2014, varies slightly with            climatic conditions.        -   Size.—Small to medium. Average diameter axially 52.5 mm.            Average transversely in suture plane 53.5 mm. Average weight            102.2 grams, varies slightly with fertility of the soil,            amount of thinning and climatic conditions.        -   Form.—Globose.        -   Suture.—Slightly lipped, extends from base to apex.        -   Ventral surface.—Slightly lipped.        -   Apex.—Rounded to very slightly retuse.        -   Base.—Flat.        -   Stem cavity.—Rounded to slightly elongated in suture plane.            Average depth 7.5 mm. Average diameter 3.3 mm.-   Stem:    -   -   Size.—Medium to large. Average length 16.7 mm. Average            diameter 1.6 mm.        -   Color.—Varies from 10YR 5/6 to 2.5YR 3/8.-   Flesh:    -   -   Ripens.—Evenly.        -   Texture.—Firm, meaty.        -   Fibers.—Few, small, tender.        -   Firmness.—Firm, comparable to other commercial interspecific            varieties.        -   Aroma.—Slight.        -   Amydgalin.—Undetected.        -   Eating quality.—Very good.        -   Flavor.—Very good, good balance between acid and sugar.        -   Juice.—Moderate amount, enhances flavor.        -   Acidity.—Not available.        -   Brix.—Average Brix 22.5°, varies slightly with amount of            fruit per tree and climatic conditions.        -   Pit cavity.—Average length 25.2 mm. Average width 16.6 mm.            Average depth 5.1 mm. Color varies from 10YR 6/8 to 7.5YR            6/10.        -   Color.—Varies from 10YR 7/8 to 10YR 6/10.-   Skin:    -   -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Surface.—Smooth.        -   Bloom.—Moderate amount, complete coverage.        -   Tendency to crack.—None.        -   Color.—Ground color varies from 2.5Y 8.5/6. to 2.5Y 8/4.            Overspread with 5R 3/8 to 5R 3/6.        -   Tenacity.—Tenacious to flesh.        -   Astringency.—Undetected.-   Stone:    -   -   Type.—Clingstone, medium adherence.        -   Size.—Medium. Average length 24.5 mm. Average width 15.6 mm.            Average thickness 9.2 mm.        -   Form.—Ovoid.        -   Base.—Flat.        -   Apex.—Pointed. Average length 1.0 mm.        -   Surface.—Slightly pitted throughout. One shallow groove on            each side of suture extending from base toward apex.        -   Sides.—Unequal, one side extending further outward from            suture plane.        -   Ridges.—Very narrow, small ridge near groove on each side of            suture.        -   Tendency to split.—None.        -   Color.—Varies from 7.5YR 5/10 to 10YR 6/10 when dry.-   Kernel:    -   -   Size.—Small to medium. Average length 15.8 mm. Average width            9.1 mm. Average depth 5.2 mm.        -   Form.—Ovoid.        -   Viability.—Viable, complete embryo development.        -   Skin color.—Varies from 10YR 5/8 to 7.5YR 5/8.-   Use: Dessert. Market — local and long distance.-   Keeping quality: Good, held firm in cold storage for 3 weeks at 38°    to 42° F. without internal breakdown of flesh or appreciable loss of    flavor.-   Shipping quality: Good, showed minimal skin scarring or flesh    bruising during picking, packing and shipping trials.-   Plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility: No specific testing    for relative plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility has been    designed. Under close observation during planting, growing, and    harvesting of fruit, under normal cultural and growing conditions    near Modesto, Calif., no particular plant/fruit disease resistance    or susceptibility has been observed. Any variety or selection    observed during indexing of plant characteristics with abnormal    fungus, bacterial, virus or insect susceptibility is destroyed and    eliminated from our breeding program. No atypical    resistances/susceptibilities have been noted under normal cultural    practices. The present new variety of interspecific, its flowers,    foliage and fruit herein described may vary in slight detail due to    climate, soil conditions and cultural practices under which the    variety may be grown. The present description is that of the variety    grown under the ecological conditions prevailing near Modesto,    Calif.

1. A new and distinct variety of interspecific tree, substantially asillustrated and described.